20th Century Fox Ups John Kilkenny To President, Visual Effects

LOS ANGELES, CA – (September 21, 2012) __ John Kilkenny has been promoted to President, Visual Effects at Twentieth Century Fox Film, it was announced today by President of Physical Production, Joe Hartwick.

Kilkenny joined Twentieth Century Fox in 2005 as Senior Vice President of Visual Effects and was made Executive Vice President in 2008. He previously worked with the studio on various projects since 2000.

“John has redefined what it means to be a visual effects executive through his creativity and ability to balance the studio’s needs with a filmmaker’s vision. He’s an invaluable member of our senior executive team, and we’re pleased to recognize his accomplishments,” said Hartwick.

At Fox, Kilkenny oversaw the Academy Award®-winning effects of Avatar. His other projects include Night at the Museum; X-Men: First Class; Baz Luhrmann’s Australia; Rise of the Planet Apes; and The Day the Earth Stood Still.

Kilkenny most recently worked on Ridley Scott’s box office hit Prometheus which grossed over $390 million worldwide. He is currently shepherding the effects for Ang Lee’s adaptation of Yann Martel’s bestselling novel, Life of Pi, set for a November 21, 2012 release. Also upcoming is The Wolverine and another sequel to the successful live action franchise Die Hard.

Prior to joining Fox, Kilkenny was an associate producer/visual effects producer for box office hits Garfield and I, Robot, the latter which received an Academy Award® nomination for Best Achievement in Visual Effects. He was also the visual effects producer for Dr. Dolittle 2, Daredevil, Gone in 60 Seconds and Star Trek Insurrection.

This year, John Kilkenny was accepted as a member into the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.